JP Sheffield, executive director of Atlanta Pride, said of Barrett, “Greg was a really, really good man. I know Pride was really important to Greg, but everything he did was important. That’s the kind of character he had.”

“I can’t count the number of times Greg Barrett was there for me,” Sheffield said at today’s memorial service.

Barrett also staffed the bar at the Atlanta Eagle every other week and donated his tips to Atlanta Pride.

“It’s because of people like Greg that we have a voice in this town,” Atlanta Eagle co-owner Robby Kelley said.

Barrett was 43 years old and leaves behind a partner, Tim Garrett, and many friends in the community.

The article was updated to correct Barrett’s age. He was 43, not 44 as originally reported.Top photo: Friends and family gathered together to celebrate the life of Greg Barrett (by Ryan Watkins)